St George (Yarran Downs) project

Projects> St George

The Sustainable Home St George is being constructed as the ranger’s residence and office as part of the northern hairy-nosed wombat reintroduction project managed by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) with support from diversified global mining company, Xstrata.

Location

Yarran Downs, north of St George

Climate Zone

Hot arid

Display period

Nil – due to the purpose of the project and the sensitive nature of the habitat. DERM will produce a ‘virtual tour’ of the house for clients to access through the website.

Project summary

The northern hairy-nosed wombat reintroduction project aims to establish a second colony of the critically endangered mammal away from the only existing colony near Clermont central Queensland.

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is the most endangered mammal living in Queensland.

A survey carried out by DERM officers in October 2007 estimates the population to be 138. An indirect measure of population is the number of burrows - there are now over 300 burrows.

The only population of northern hairy-nosed wombats is found at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) in inland central Queensland gazetted in 1974.

A suitable habitat has been identified at Yarran Downs, a cattle property north of St George. A number of wombats have been be relocated to the new site and are being monitored by rangers in the hope that a second colony will be established.

Please click here for more information.

Key Facts

This is the first home in the Program to be built in the hot arid zone. It is also the first transportable home in the program.

The home is to be used as the rangers’ accommodation and office whilst they are on site monitoring the activities of the wombats.

The home is 3 bedrooms plus an office, with ensuite to the main bedroom and second bathroom.

Adapted to suit transportation – modules 3.5m wide to fit on a truck – no pilot needed
Timber construction
Mega anchors being used
Home will be removable
Orientation to north
Insulated flooring systems
Roof pitch 12 degrees
Floor panels allow for retrofitting services if required in the future
Walls built to create a thermal siphon
Vented eaves to release hot air
Hard board sheeting being used – made from waste forest products – no chemicals
Reduction of waste addressed – using same wall materials for internal and external; use of off-cuts
Ceiling panels are compressed straw panels – very good sound insulation as well as thermal properties
Made from rice or wheat straw + paper + PVA glue – heat and pressure creates natural polymers to bind the material
870 mm doors to give 850mm opening
Hobless showers
Access – 4 steps – because the home is being built for a specific project, work is not suitable for people with mobility issues. However, a ramp can be retrofitted if the home is moved for other use.
Cross flow ventilation addressed through placement of windows and doors.
Rainwater only used – no access to mains. 2 x 20,000L tanks
Composting toilets
Greywater system investigated however not suitable to the project and cost-prohibitive
1.5 kW PV – on frames to achieve required angles – fed into grid
LED light fittings
Ceiling fans with CFL lights
Heat pump hot water system – easier to transport, fit and maintain than solar in the remote location
Kitchen being built by Greener Kitchens
Kitchen will be made from EO rated board
Vented floor and wall for fridge – closable for winter.
Operable ceiling vents
Energy rating – 6 stars in St George location – would be 8 stars if located in Brisbane